Maggie - I wish I were there to offer you something to make you feel better, be it wine or an ice pack!! Hang in there!!

* * *

Maggie here. Much pain and swelling. I go to the other doc today for a follow-up and hopefully some relief. I think I will ask for better drugs. My dream would be to sleep through some of this. More if it, any way.

Many have emailed to say: "been there, done that". That may comfort you but doesn't offer any support to me, lol. Hold off on telling me how much you've heroically gone through until I no longer want to reach for a weapon... please.

Your unhappy camper in Texas,
Maggie

* * *

Uncle Bill - I love your poem!! It is a classic!! I for one, will not be driving under the influence...I have too much to lose by doing something stupid like that. We will be traveling for Thanksgiving Dinner, but I don't expect to have any problems, except with four-egged critters in the road. The deer don't scare me, but the moose make it hazardous. Mike and I will have our eyes peeled as we will be in "moose country".
Maggi - I hope that you have survived your medical/dental problems and are on the road to recovery. I, too, hate going to the dentist. The sound of the drill scares the bejeezus outta me!! Fortunatel, since I quit drinking colas, I don't have much of a problem with cavities..and of course, I have only half as many teeth to worry about!!
Shirley - I am sorry that you are having so much trouble with your body! Isn't it just the pits when they don't do what we want?? I have a chronic ache in my right hip. It is just an annoyance, nothing like what you are dealing with. I will keep you in my prayers.
Rita - I am going to get into the shrimp and Persimmon puree, when I get home from Albany, this weekend.
I am going down to visit Jen, and to attend a big craft fair and the school she is attending. Yes, she is back in school..even though she graduated, from SUNY Albany, last May. She hasn't been able to get a job, so is picking up biology classes, in hopes that she will get enough for a job as a State Biologist or some such occupation. In the meantime, she is working part time at two or three different jobs and taking a full 18 credits, too!!
Patty Cake - I am seriously considering "The Best Damn Desserts" for Christmas presents for my sisters, except I have pretty well finished my shopping for them!!
I am off to do my house work. I have a load of wash going and lots of cooking for Mike, for the weekend, while I am gone. Also, I am going to clean the kitchen!! Major task!! Then, it is back to the sewing machine!!

Hello there friends, I am still here. I tried to summit recipes but my
work or words says there is an error and I can't send it so will try to re- type them up one handed again and do it on email only. I got to do something to
hold up my end for Maggie. Just so you know, since June I have lost over an inch in arm length on my writing right arm. To retrain my left arm to take over is hard. Some things are impossible. How did my right arm learn
to do it???? I spend a lot a time in bed as I get so tired. I tried to explain how bad I have hurt to my sister today but she told she just can
figure it out cause nothing is wrong with her. She is her and I am me.
Well I hope you all a happy Thanksgiving and that all your dishes come out
with blue ribbons. It is still up in the air as to what we will be doing
as Cherie, our daughter doesn't know if she works or not. I rely on her a
lot. She is one in a million. I love her a lot. well friends it is time
to lay down again. Hugs, Shirley

Thinking about you dear Maggie! I think everyone sympathizes with you. I know I hate dental work and am always uptight about going to the dentist. We will be waiting to hear from the kiddos! Great issue today. I saw a lot of recipes I want to save and try.

I am making Brenda's infamous grape salad tonight to take to work tomorrow for our Thanksgiving luncheon. I think I will make the cranberry jello salad in the issue today for our Thanksgiving. Tom doesn't like jello salads but since I don't like plain cranberries I always make a cranberry type jello salad for me for the holidays. Tom thinks if you have jello it has to be plain ole jello with nothing in it. I was raised where Mom always added fruit cocktail or something to the jello. We never ate it plain!

Where are you Pammie? I am missing you and Shirley. Hope Shirley is feeling better. Carol, have you had the shrimp yet? Don't know if I told you that a co-worker who does a lot of scrap booking bought me a very nice scrap book for my birthday and told me to give her pictures, recipes etc from our GSEE and she would put them in the scrap book for me. I am just now starting to collect what I want her add. It is fun looking at the pictures and enjoying the memories of the time with you dear friends.

God Bless All - off to make my salad.

A Happy and Safe Thanksgiving to all of our A2Z Friends;
The U.S. holiday is coming up and many will be over imbibing in spirits and then driving.
Thought I would post this little bit of information that relates well.

SAFETY RULES FOR HOLIDAY DRIVING OR DRIVING ANYTIME

10 little drivers cruising down the line; one had a heavy foot and then there were nine.
(Speed limits are set for your safety.)

9 little drivers, the hour was getting late; one dozed a moment, and then there were eight.
(A tired driver is a dangerous driver.)

8 little drivers, and the evening was heaven; one showed his driving skill, and then there were seven.
(Drive sensibly and sanely at all times - a car is no place for a clown.)

7 little drivers, their lives were full of kicks; one bought a bottle, and then there were six.
(Gasoline and alcohol are deadly; don't drink when you drive.)

6 little drivers, impatient to arrive; one jumped a traffic light, and then there were five.
(Don't gamble years of your life to save a few seconds.)

5 little drivers, wheeling near the shore; one viewed the scenery, and then there were four.
(Careful driving demands alertness at all times.)

4 little drivers, happy as could be; one passed on a hill, and then there were three.
(Never pass another car when your vision is obscured.)

3 little drivers, were busy, it is true; one neglected car repairs, and then there were two.
(For safety's sake, always keep your car in top condition.)

2 little drivers, and the day was nearly done; one didn't dim his lights, and then there was one.
(Slow down for dusk or darkness; adjust your driving to existing conditions.)

Yes, one little driver who's still alive today; by following the safety rules, he hopes to stay that way.)

One cannot be cautious and careful enough as to how they drive today.

Enjoy, but use extreme discretion to stay alive or save someone else's lives.

Best Regards,
"Uncle Bill"

Hello Rita;
It is nice that Dana is so excited about coming to Vancouver, B.C. to attend some of the 2010 Winter Olympic Venues. If I can be of any assistance, Dana could get in touch with me.
VANOC sold 100,000 tickets last Saturday and according to the news media, some tickets to the Gold Medal Hockey Games, sold for $3,871.00. These tickets normally were $750.00. Talk about a rip-off, well this takes the cake. People in Bellingham, WA, are very put out that they were not allocated at least 500 tickets for those who wished to take in venues.
I hope Dana enjoys her stay here.
Regards,
"Uncle Bill"

Lots of prayers for Maggie today. I think most of us know dental surgery is no picnic.

Good Morning All,

Carol...that would be me that sent the recipes in from the "Best Damn Desserts From Bear Wallow to Goosehorn" and you are so right, this is a great cookbook and I too recommend it very highly...lots of good/easy recipes.

Love and prayers for all.

Patty Cake

Dang!! I typed a whole message, tried to attach a picture of the quilt block from the quilt I am making for my nephew and lost the entire message!!!

Here we go again..
Nancy, Rita and Charlie - I am glad you missed another hurricane!! I don't mind a little rain and wind, though! It is like snow and wind..who cares?? I don't have to leave town to get to work!!

La-La and other sufferers fro the flu - Let's not give it any fancy names..it is just Influenze A...with a fancy moniker to make people get vaccinated. yes, it is nasty, but the drug company that is making the vaccine is getting rich!! And, some of it is being made in China. The NYS Dept of Health tried to mandate it for all health care workers in the state and our union obtained an injunction. I would have lost my job, if push had come to shove. I wasn't getting it and I won't.
La-La - I have wanted to brine a turkey, for a long time...this year we are eating at someone else's home, but perhaps, the next weekend, I can do one, since we won't have any left over turkey unless I do!!
 
Next....I did not post the "Candy Bar Brownie" recipe...Maggie did in the issue where she put the other GSEE recipes...I just rated it with a 5+ stars. Mike love it made with Carmello bars. That makes it a VERY expensive dessert, but since he makes them last a week, it is okay. He won't eat the edges, but leaves them for me..there usually is no candy bar in the edges, so the calories are lower...how's that for rationale, Julia??

I wanted to make them for him to take to hunting camp, this past weekend, but he wouldn't allow it as "they are too good"...so instead I made "The Best Apple Stuff, Ever" from LaVece Hughes "Best Damn Desserts From Bear Wallow to Goosehorn" cookbook. Someone here has that book and it was because of the delicious recipes she posted, that I bought the cookbook! I highly recommend it as a gift for anyone who loves to cook, or even for yourself!! I figured I was worth it!!
 
Now, I must go cook breakfast for my honey!! It is Sausage Biscuits today. I have big plans for him, so I don't want to overfeed him, or he will want to take a nap!!
  
Hope everyone is having a nice day

Stan leaves on Tuesday to go hunting in Illinois and will be back the following Tuesday[11/24th].
I will be without a computer while he is gone, we are getting rid of Vista[business]. I am so happy because it has been nothing but trouble.Stan is sending part of it to him[our son] and will pick it up our have him send it back to us.
Saw Rita at church today and we got to talk a little. Great to see her and to know that she is feeling better.
Prayers for everyone.
Need to go do some laundry and finish getting Stan ready, he has gone to the camp to get his 4 wheeler and last of his stuff.
Hugs Nancy

* * *

Good morning to everyone. We've had some Birthday Babies (and some soon) that I've not honored here.

12th Aafrin in Pune, India
13th Joan in Savona, British Columbia, Canada
13th Anita, Battle Ground, WA
14th Marilyn B. in Center Line, Michigan
14th Susan H. in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
15th Cheryl in Chicago, Illinois
15th Christine in London, Ontario, Canada
16th Laura B. in Jonesville, Louisiana
16th Carole L. in Binghamton, New York
17th Don G. in Georgia
17th Mary S. in Nashville, Tennessee

I'm sorry not to have posted many of these sooner. I'm just working and dreading next week. And, quite frankly, I'm not feeling so good. I don't want to whine so I just have laid low. Maybe I'll get back in the swing of things after next week and all my tests come back clear. Bear with me, please.

I worked all night so I'm going to get some sleep before I go back in for another 12. No complaints! I am employed and love my job!!!

Hugs to everyone and happiest of times for our Birthday Babies,
Maggie in Texas

* * *

Have no fear we here on the gulf coast surived Ida! Nothing much but rain and some gusty wind. I slept through it w/o waking up once. All the damage we had was our grill cover blew off! I also got an extra day off work since they decided yesterday to close the base for the day. With tomorrow a holiday for Veteran's Day I am having a nice break!

Uncle Bill, Dana has made arrangements with some lady to house swap. I guess the lady and son want to come to San Francisco for a visit so they have arranged to stay at each other's houses and use vehicles. I'm not sure of all the tickets she got but I know she did get opening ceremonies. She also got curling tickets that she hopes she can trade or sell when she gets there. I know she has some skiing, luge and skating. She is really excited about the whole thing and has been saving vacation and money so she can spend the two weeks.

Good to hear from you Leasa! Glad you are recovering from the bad flu! Say hello to Omaha for me! I love that city!!

Tom is off playing cards with is poker buddies so guess I will have a bowl of left over vegetable soup for dinner. Plan to make meat loaf tomorrow. We haven't had that in a good long time. God Bless all!!

Hi and hello from Podunk! I know I've been awol..heavy sigh. Between running back and forth to mom's, pack, move, home for 2 days, back down south, home for 3 days, then back south to stay with my daughter since she called and asked me. She had "female" surgery and wanted me to be there. So another week not at home. Get home and find out I somehow got the H1N1 or swine flu. Down for the count for 7 days. Wowser, that is nasty stuff! Sleep, eat saltines and drink ginger ale. Ewwwww! I lost 6 lbs!! Heck, not just what I needed at this point in time. BUT I've been HOME for 1 1/2 wks now!! Woo hoo! I wake up in the middle of the night and actually know where I'm at!! ha ha ha....

So now we go to Omaha this weekend. We sold our camper, traded it in for Mom's old one, a fifth wheel, which we'll be much more happier with. Bigger kitchen (woo hoo) and more space all around. I swear we're gonna keep this one FOREVER! Got a pretty good deal too. Yep, the shyster (me) is at it again..heh heh...

Then I had to have more brakes put on my vehicle...for the third time in a year. Sheesh..the car dealer here in town, which is now no longer, really fudged me over. Yep, called Ford headquarters..again, so we'll see what they do for me.

So I went over to my bldg yesterday and picked up a few things. I'm going to brine a turkey for the first time for T-day. Should be interesting. Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted...since I'm AT HOME!!!!!!!!!!!

Prayers for those in Ida's path, and for those who need them.
Love and hugs to all!!!

La la